TAMPA, Fla. -- Mosquito guru Donnie Hayes is ready for a busy summer battling bugs.
The Director of Mosquito Control for Hillsborough County says Tampa Bay area's recent rainy weather combined with high temperatures could be a nightmare scenario for mosquito outbreaks.
“Once that water is sitting there, the hot weather gets things cooking," says Hayes. "That’s when mosquito larvae start hatching off."
Good thing Hayes has some extra weapons to help fight back this year.
Hillsborough County bought five new trucks souped up with state-of-the-art technology to kill mosquitoes in their aqua-born larvae stage long before they can become adults and potentially carry the Zika Virus.
“We’re really hoping to see a decrease in the mosquito population over the next few years,” says Hayes.
Mosquito Control is also teaming up with USF to considerably expand the free giveaway of gambusia, the mosquito-eating fish, for retention ponds and artificial bodies of water.
To learn more how to get free gambusia, visit: www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/calendar/04-publicevents/2018/20180613-fight-mosquitoes-free-fish-wednesdays.
